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Tuesday, September 13, 2016

Recap: 'Meet the Parents'

Counting On "Meet the Parents"

Jinger has been courting Jeremy Vuolo for three weeks, and
she is making her first trip to visit him in Laredo, Texas. Jim Bob and
Michelle are traveling with her, and the three Duggars will meet Jeremy’s
parents, who are flying in from Pennsylvania.

“It always is interesting meeting the in-laws,” jokes
Josiah. “You’re hoping you’re not going to be the outlaw.”

At the Laredo airport, Jinger runs down the escalator and
gives Jeremy, who is holding a bouquet of flowers, a big sidehug. “Everything
that I’ve desired in a wife, I see that in Jinger,” shares Jeremy.

Jinger gives Jeremy a nail art creation that she made by
hand. It’s a slab of wood with Arkansas and Texas outlined in nails and
connected with two hearts on a piece of string.

Jeremy gives the Duggars a tour of his bachelor pad. They
all agree that it’s a great place to start a marriage and raise a small family. The master bedroom even
contains a king size bed. (Jim Bob jokes that the closet smells like dirty
shoes, but he is still extremely impressed.)

Everything is very clean, although Jeremy admits that his
mom helped with that.

Jeremy shows everyone a version of “Come Thou Fount” that he
recorded for Jinger. The hymn is very special to the couple and will be part of
their wedding.

“Jeremy and I have set our own rules for the courtship," shares Jinger, as Jeremy puts his arm around her while they sit on the couch.

“I wasn’t aware of…how they have done previous courtships," says Jeremy. "But I guess having the arm around [the shoulder]…they haven’t done that in the
past.”

Jeremy says that the goal of courtship is to be intentional
about getting to know someone and that it adds extra weight to the
relationship.

Later, Jeremy takes everyone on a walk around Laredo. When they enter a pawn shop, both he and Jinger notice all the rings for sale. "Now don't get any ideas," Jim Bob says.

Jinger defends his remark: "My dad is not trying to slow the relationship down in any way. I think it's just emotionally hard for him."

"I think Jeremy's a great guy, but we'll just have to keep an eye on him," says Jim Bob, smiling. "It's hard for Dad," agrees Michelle.

During lunch, Jim Bob asks Jeremy about the crime level in Laredo. On the topic of sharing drinks, he jokingly says he doesn't think Jinger and Jeremy are "at the place to swap spit yet."

They also visit Grace Community Church, where Jeremy has been preaching since November 2014. The building is a converted house and holds 40-50 people.

Both sets of parents agree that Jinger and Jeremy are a match made by the Lord. "I think it's meant to be," says Jim Bob. "We will just have to pray about the timing."

"I've prayed about that, and so, I can let you know what He says," Jeremy chimes in, laughing.

"Mr. Duggar, we get married next month or I'm out," Jeremy jokes again. Jim Bob's response is: "See you later, Jeremy." Both guys enjoy cutting up with each other.

Down in Central America, Derick is writing a sermon, which
he does once or twice every week. It takes at least four hours.

Jill invites ladies and their kids over to her home once a
week. She always makes banana bread because her guests love it. Jill’s Spanish
is improving, but she is glad to have the pastor’s wife to help with
translating. Jill ministers to a lot of women whose husbands are not
faithful to them.

Back in Arkansas, John takes Joy out for her
first flight license. Joy is considering working towards her pilot’s license so she can fly into remote villages on the mission field and also visit Jill and Derick.

After John safely takes of, he allows Joy to take the controls for a few moments. "He was really calm, and when I was tipping us a little too far, he just kind of grabbed the wheel..." says Joy.

"I think Joy has what it takes," says John. "It's just a matter of whether she's willing to do it."

The Duggar siblings call John a jack of all trades. He has
his pilot’s license and CDL and also does contracting, firefighting, and law
enforcement.

Jana heads up the preparations for Joy, Jedidiah, and Jeremiah's high school graduation party. They finished their high school requirements at different times, but they are sharing a party.

"Homeschooling has been definitely something that I have loved and enjoyed, and I think most of my siblings would say the same," shares Jana. "I don't think there were ever those moments that I was like, 'Oh man, I wish I could go to school.'"

The guest list for the grad party is more than 200 people. The Bate are among the attendees.

Jed and Jer and five minutes apart in age, and their siblings say that they have a very close relationship. "That's the way they roll," says Josiah. "They're always together."

Jimbob was so hard to watch, not hating but it was just so awkward. Anyone else found that? I loved the scenes with John and Joy, his such a sweet older brother. Wonder if any of the other older sibling are going to get jobs or go to uni?

Wow Jimbob was so awkward. I do think that if Jimbob would let them Jinger would kiss before marriage they would do it. But to be honest how can they say they make their own choices when her parents are very outspoken against it?!

Yup! No sin in kissing before marriage. Jinger definitely was ready to give Jeremy a big kiss when she got off the plane, but appeared to remember her parents were there and stopped. So sad. It's normal to give loved ones a hug and kiss.

I wonder if these children get kissed at all by their parents growing up, or if the only show of love is that famous side hug? Why else would they be so scared of an innocent kiss? Don't they think their courting children have any self-control? If not, what are they basing that opinion on?

I have to listen again to hear if one of the kids said that John David was a "police officer." Maybe they said "peace officer" instead? Either way, I know he holds an elected position. I would not consider that the same as someone who went through police academy training, wears a badge, and carries a gun. Maybe Arkansas is different. But it kind of irks me when they try to elevate John David to "policeman" status, if he hasn't had the same training.

Joy took the controls of that plane. Don't you need an FAA student pilot certificate in order to do that? They didn't explain that very well at all. What did she legally have to do first in order to sit there beside John David and take the controls like that? Did they follow all the FAA rules?

Private pilots can allow non licensed passengers to take the controls of the plane though the licensed pilot remains ultimately responsible for anything that happens and must remain ready to take over immediately if needed. This is true for private flights not commercial flights

I love these people and was very sad when it stopped but now the girls are back its brilliant too I love it i live in England but not seen new jill and jessa counting on is it on the same day ? I have TLC Pauline in the UK

I just loved the show tonight, it was great to see the whole family together. I just love Jeremy and Jinger's courtship, they are so cute together. It was nice to see their parents meet for for the first time..... I can't wait to see next weeks show....

So you just round up 40 or 50 people, find an old house, call yourself a pastor, and start preaching? Is that really how simple it is? I don't get it. Most churches have ministers who studied for years first. Isn't there some sort of licensing procedure or something? I mean, can you just start marrying people and everything? And the house is then tax-exempt, as a church? That's it?

Personally, I think the model of becoming a priest in the Catholic Church is kind of ideal. You have to be ordained, go through a internship of sorts. It's a very long procedure to become certified. Is there not a governing or certifying body that oversees ministers? How do you know if someone is really qualified?

The model of becoming any kind of ordained minister is the way to go. Otherwise you may as well stand in the middle of the street on a soapbox. And yes, where is the accountability? For a family that is big on that, why is the Derick, Ben, and Jeremy kind of do-it-yourself preaching OK? No sense spreading the word if you're not qualified to do it and don't have an organized church behind you holding you responsible for what you do or say. I don't buy the argument that they "had a calling." You can have that and still go through the proper education and accreditation. To skip that is highly questionable.

What "licensing procedure" or "proper education" is required in the Bible to obey Jesus's command to: "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you:" Matthew 28:19-20? The Bible mentions ordination by laying on of hands by other pastors, and lists requirements that some churches outright ignore today. (Pastors must be male, the husband of one wife, not a lover of money, have a well managed household, etc.) It never mentions "years of study" a "certifying body" or other traditions of men. Think about it: they certainly didn't set up seminaries in the Catacombs during the Roman Persecution! John Bunyan, (author of "Pilgrim's Progress", the most widely read Christian book aside from the Bible) was a tinker who taught his congregation on the open hillsides when he was not in prison for his faith. He had no official "training", yet Christians are still profiting from his preaching! Most of the Prophets and Early Christians met and preached in houses, hills, marketplaces, you name it. "For where two of three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." Matthew 18:20

As I recall, none of the apostles had any organizations backing their preaching. The Lord Jesus taught them Himself, and the Holy Spirit gave them His power. The Holy Spirit is our teacher. Look it up in the Bible. The Holy Spirit is not dead, but I do know He is not very welcomed and sometimes put in a box in some churches because it doesn't fit with the program. I don't have any formal training at all, I have no degrees behind my name, I go to a very small church with an attendance at the most of 20 people (and yes, my pastor went to school and learned all of the doctrines and whatnot and dispensations) but wherever I am, if the Lord sends a person to me that needs help, and He has on many occasions, I listen to them and give them the Word that is needed for their situations. That's what we're supposed to do; be full of the Word of God to help others, when they cross our paths and witness to them that Jesus died for their sins because He loves them so much and does not want one to perish. We are not called to be pew warmers. This world is fast approaching its end, and people are getting more afraid and discouraged, esp. Christians. The devil is attacking because his time is short, and he hates us all and will do everything in his power to keep our mouths shut. But we have not been given the spirit of fear but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 2 Tim. 1:7. Just because we live in America does not mean we are exempt from persecution. Our brothers and sisters are dying overseas. Is the average American Christian ready to face persecution? I don't want this to happen at all, but we have to be ready to face anything. Our time of playing church is over. We need the Word of God in our hearts because as soon as we said yes to the Lord coming into our hearts we were qualified to spread His Word. It doesn't take a degree to minister to whomever the Lord sends to you. Just listen to the Holy Spirit and He will guide you. Hurting people want someone right then. I'm only saying this as for an example and not to brag. One day I had taken my mother to the drug store to get her prescriptions filled, and while we were waiting, a woman I have never seen before walked up to me, started pouring out her heart and crying. A total stranger in a very public place. The Holy Spirit qualified me to give her the Word because I have some of it hidden in my heart; not nearly enough though. And I prayed for her right there. I am not called to be a pastor of a church, but I am called to minister to others, esp. on my job. And it's only because I am willing. The Holy Spirit gives me what to give to them because I can't do it on my own at all. He only sends me people that I can minister to, with my limited Word knowledge. I just want to encourage others to put the Word of God first place in their lives. You will never know what God might have in store for you if you just listen.

Personally, I'm going to trust a preacher who humbles himself before the Lord and studies the Bible and asks for instruction from the Lord. The Lord speaks through preachers. Preaching degrees are given by man. Men who can easily change the Bible to what they want it to say, teach a class that way, and tell people they are a "certified preacher." I hate preaching degrees and I don't believe it is biblical to have to have one. In fact, the Lord speaks through the uneducated in the Bible.

Amen September 15th! Jesus did not choose teachers in the church to follow Him. He warned of those who thought themselves righteous because of knowledge. God calls us, He gives us the words to speak. While there might not be a lot wrong with traditional educated preachers, I know that the only book you need to preach is the Bible and the only command to go forth and do so is God's.

Preaching does NOT require qualifications and quiet frankly a dentist and a preacher are not comparable. Preaching is from God and God only not man. A man can teach another how to work on teeth. A man cannot tell another how to preach. Preaching comes from being sensitive to the Holy spirt.

Years and years ago, young girls, 14/16 years old, became school teachers!!! Over time, we realized that teachers need to be educated!!! Yes, the apostles were taught by Jesus, but this is the 21st century!!! People who are guiding and teaching others need to be educated themselves! Come on people.

These are not Biblical times any more. Good theological seminaries exist for a reason. You want them shut down? You want to hand anyone off the street a church to lead and say good luck with that? What would happen to the doctrines of different denominations? Who would keep them going?

So much of the Bible is up for interpretation, based on what one believes. What I call the "one sentence rule", where one can take one sentence and interpret it any way they want. The Bible is one book and each chapter and is written to support the entire book. Each chapter is speaking to the people of the time and having the background is very important to interpretation. In most "official" classes the background of the people spoken to is so very important to be aware of..... One can not pick up the Bible, open it up and start interpreting it, that is where education comes in to play. Be Leary of ones who claim to be able to interpret based on the individual translations of the time without education.

One thing that bothers me though...why did they say they were only courting for three weeks, but several references were made to "two months?" Are we being lied to again? Also, Jim Bob needs to cool it. It was so embarrassing the way he acted. I understand looking out for your daughter, but he almost is forbidding her to move to Texas! Let Jinger go and make a new life! Hasn't she been through enough??

But this was filmed in June, they were already courting. But I thought they'd met in May, 2015, and started to get to know each other in December, 2015. By the time this was filmed, it should've been six months, not just two.

I can not gage another's "love for each other". However, Jinger seems very smitten by Jeremy. After all, he is the first one to come around but true love grows over time and is strictly a timely endeavor.

What more could they show? Two or three hundred people eating off throw-away plates after some kids "graduated" from studying around the dining room table doesn't exactly make for captivating TV. Now what would really be interesting would be watching those kids move into the dorm at the University of Arkansas for the fall term, where they could study and root for their favorite team.

"The Duggar siblings call John a jack of all trades. He has his pilot’s license and CDL and also does contracting, firefighting, and law enforcement."

I am not aware of communities that employ part-time law enforcement officers. What kind of law enforcement does he work in? Regarding "contracting," does he also hold licenses for those lines of work? They weren't mentioned, so I assume not. Sounds like when the Duggars said Jana is a "concert pianist."

JD is an elected constable (up for re-election), nowhere near a full-fledged police officer when it comes to training or salary. As far as being a contractor, there is no Duggar listed under the Arkansas Contractors Licensing Board.

John has his licence for his towing business and working towards full pilots licence but his other business for Peace officer and contacting are untrained and unqualified. Just for those fans wondering. God bless

Jinger looks so happy and I hope that her wedding and marriage are everything that she wants! But I really wish Jim Bob would cool it, he's beyond embarrassing. He was bad with Ben and Derrick but now his comments border on distasteful.

Agreed! I think he's trying to pass off as jokes what are actually passive aggressive statements. Jeremy and Jinger are adults and capable of making their own decisions whether the parents like it or not. If they make a mistake, thats ok too. This sense of ownership of his adult children is not healthy

I thought the show was great. I was laughing so hard at Jim Bob and Jeremy. I think a lot of it was how the director edited the show. They did a really good job. It seems like Jeremy and Jim Bob get along really good. At the end of the show Jim Bob said he thought that they were meant to be together.

Ginger and Jeremy are really smitten with each other. It won't be long before we hear about a wedding.

I noticed a lot of fans in prev posts have asked for Anna on show but don't want Josh. If Anna was on the show it would be hard to ask for an update if she wasn't allowed for mention her partner.. Its like asking Jimbob and Michelle questions but not about thier kids.. it's hard and there would be no point.

I thought it was quite rude of Jim Bob to just open Jeremy's closet door and walk in to look around. What was he looking for or hoping to find? If someone came into my home and did exactly that, I'd definitely say something to them. Elder or not, you need to respect others homes and privacy. ~Fran

These new Counting On episodes are great, and so uplifting and happy! I really enjoy getting to know the older kids better. And Jinger and Jeremy's courtship is so cute and heart warming to watch. It's nice to see Jinger so happy! Jeremy seems like a mature man who will be able to take care of and cherish a wife. Jim Bob was clearly joking around with Jeremy and you can see that these two men have built a friendship already and are comfortable with each other. And Jeremy's parents were a nice addition to the show and it's a good thing for the parents to meet like this. I also enjoyed the segment on Jill and Derick and the part where Joy and John were flying. We should keep in mind that on a show like this the audience is just seeing a snippet glimpse into their lives, and so it's not very accurate to judge them on just this limited look we get to see. I also was glad to see Michelle and Jim Bob looking well, as did all the family shown. Looking forward to seeing more Counting On!

It is clear that that Jim Bob and Jeremy have spent some time talking and are comfortable with the joking around. Remember, we as TV viewers only see a glimpse into their lives so we don't really have enough knowledge to accurately judge them. I love these new episodes of Counting On, and especially enjoy getting to know the older kids more! And Jinger and Jeremy's courtship is so cute and the whole episode was fun to watch. Looking forward to more Counting On!

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